Archive for January, 2012

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[Style Vault] – Christian Louboutin Nude Cut Out Lace Up Heels

Posted in FASHION, MELI'S STYLE VAULT, SHOES, SHOPPING with tags , , , on January 31, 2012 by stylebymeli

I have been meaning to share in my [Style Vault] this stunning pair of Christian Louboutin heels that I bought last month as a birthday gift to myself.  (Last year I treated myself to a professional Canon camera as I wanted to invest in the very best, but this year, I decided I wanted a hot pair of shoes! ;)) If you thrive on fashion the way I do and have an appreciation for beautiful things, I’m sure you also dream about Christian Louboutin’s!  After shopping around, I came across these and really fell head over heels (slight pun intended):

My first pair of Christian Louboutin heels!

I own a lot of black shoes to begin with so it was nice to find this pair of nude heels.  I believe a nude shoe is also very practical, you just have to take extra good care of them.  I love all the styling details including the tassel lace-ups, the peep-toe, and the cut-outs.  I’m also all about a strong high heel and wouldn’t want it any other way!  It goes without saying that the quality is impeccable!  It is made of a smooth napa leather.  I plan on wearing these once the spring season approaches and will definitely showcase them in an upcoming [Outfit Post].

[Your thoughts?  How do you like to style a nude shoe?]

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[Outfit Post] with Red Shrug, Sequin White Top, Black Leggings, and Black Boots…A Bold and Festive Look

Posted in FASHION, OUTFIT POST, SHOES, SHOPPING with tags , , , on January 30, 2012 by stylebymeli

I actually wore this outfit a few days ago and meant to post this sooner.  Enjoy!

About This Outfit:

[The Outfit]:  I am wearing a white tunic tank top with draping neckline and silver sequins.  It’s really a nice piece by itself and also to layer with.

The red sweater shrug is from Forever 21.  I love this shade of red along with the styling details at the shoulders.  This is classic and never goes out of style!

The black leggings are from Arden B.  I like these because they are thicker than a regular pair of leggings and still very comfortable.

The black boots are by Calvin Klein.  I have definitely worn these in previous outfit posts.  I have owned them for about three years and they are still getting a ton of wear this season.

[Where to wear this outfit]:  I think this can really be worn day or night.  I mean, it is a little flashy for the daytime, but I think you can still make it work depending on where you are going.  This is also great at night for going to a casual lounge for a drink.

[Stylish Notes]:

-  I really love anything that accentuates the width of the shoulders.  I have fairly narrow shoulders to begin with, but the puffs at the sleeves of this shrug gives me visual width.  I try to explain to people that wide shoulders and wide hips are typically a good thing because they will contrast a small waistline and just enhance an hour shaped figure.

-  I also always love a draping effect at the neckline as shown with this top.  It’s just a nice styling detail and adds visual interest to a look.

-  The red shrug really completes the look while adding a pop of color.  I realize not everyone enjoys incorporating bold colors but as you can see, it can easily be done in moderation paired with black and white.

[Thanks for viewing!  Thoughts?]

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Skin Enhancing Techniques Revealed: How to Achieve that Glowing Effect Like Jennifer Lopez

Posted in CELEBRITY MAKEUP, FACE, MAKE-UP, MAKEUP BRUSHES, POWDERS, PRODUCTS I LOVE, SKIN HIGHLIGHTING, SKINCARE with tags , , , , , , , , on January 29, 2012 by stylebymeli

I would say that the majority of my clients request one of two things when it comes to their skin.  Either they want a very matte finish (mainly those that tend to have a more oily skin type) OR the opposite extreme which would be that they want that extra glow to their skin with a shiny, dewy finish.

The Benefits of Glowing Skin:

-  The skin appears incredibly youthful, fresh, and dewy which ultimately translates into the appearance of a beautiful and flawless complexion.  (Who doesn’t want that?)

-  It typically photographs magnificently given that it’s done correctly and placement is essential.

-  Although the whole face can have this look, when the highlighting effect is emphasized on the cheeks, it magically accentuates the bone structure of the face.  I cannot stress enough how essential this is in creating what I call, “the perfect face.”  A face is ALWAYS more physically attractive when the cheekbones are defined.  The beauty of makeup is, you can actually visually change (or enhance I should say) the shape of the face tremendously and create this definition with the right cosmetics and correct product placement.

Let’s look at the beautiful Jennifer Lopez, which “highlights” this skin glowing effect…

Although her whole face appears to have a healthy glow, if you pay extra close attention to this image, you will see that the main emphasis is on the tops of the cheekbones and the brow bone area (under the eye brows). These are the main focal points you want to be highlighting the skin for the best visual impact.

How to Achieve This Look:

For the Makeup Beginner:  The easiest way to add a “glow” to the face is to purchase a shimmery bronzer that is a shade or two darker than your natural skintone or powder with a golden shine to it, preferably in a loose form.  (In my professional opinion, loose powders tend to adhere to the skin much more smoothly and naturally although a pressed version is also acceptable).  For application, use a big fluffy brush to apply softly onto the entire face.  That’s it, quick and easy!

For the Makeup Advanced:  For those that are already wearing makeup and have a basic knowledge on makeup application, I want to focus more on the placement and choosing the right product(s).

With product selection, I advise picking up a highlighting powder and also considering a liquid or cream based luminizer.  I personally use both.

With the the liquid/cream luminizer, you will incorporate this step as a part of your foundation application regime.  Although a thin layer can be applied onto the entire face, I highly recommend placing it on the tops of the cheekbones and brow bone area.  This can be done before or after the foundation, but ABSOLUTELY before any powder application comes into play.  Afterwards, you would set all your cream/liquid products with an all over powder.

To take it a step further, you can now emphasize the highlighting effect even more by finishing it off with a powder highlighter, again same placement: top of the cheeks and brow bone area.

My Skin Highlighting Combo:

1-  Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer (#3) :  I LOVE this product!  I like to apply a tiny amount of this (a little goes a long way) along the top of my cheeks after I apply my liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer.  I typically apply this with a brush (currently using the MAC #282 SE from this past holiday’s brush set) or sometimes I will blend with my fingers.

2-  NARS “Albatross” :  Upon setting my face with an all over powder, I use a MAC #165 brush (unfortunately, this was a limited brush) and dust this highlighting powder again on the tops of the cheeks.

[Do you have any additional tips for achieving this look or favorite products that you like to use?]

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[Fabulous Fitness Post] – Three Ways to Maximize Your Workouts at the Gym and Really Take it up a Notch

Posted in FABULOUS FITNESS POST, HEALTH on January 27, 2012 by stylebymeli

I thought it would be beneficial to share what I do at the gym that really makes an impact and allows for me to continue to achieve aesthetically pleasing results (or in other words keeps me in shape).  These are principles that I actually didn’t start to really incorporate until about 3-4 months ago, but ever since I did, it truly made a world of difference.  Please keep in mind that I realize everybody has a different body type and different fitness goals, so all of this also has to be taken into consideration.  These are all personal things that have worked for me (and that I hope will work for you)!

1-  Change your workout everyday –  I’m sure many people go to the gym and find themselves utilizing the same machines or gravitating towards the things they already know.  Well guess what?  You’re not challenging yourself enough!  In order for a workout to be effective (again, if you’re looking to achieve results which I would hope most of you are trying to do), you really need to strive to keep the body guessing at all times.  You really want to challenge different muscle groups on a daily basis or switch up your daily cardio routines.

Once I really practiced this principle, I noticed results almost instantly (by that I noticed I was in better physical shape) and will continue to work towards achieving results.  I honestly really try to train my body like an athlete (even though I’m far from one, whoever said that I can’t strive to look like one! ;))

The other day I actually created a circuit for myself of multi-jointed sculpting moves (meaning that the exercise challenges more than one muscle group at a time…very important and time effective!) that either I had never done before or that I have picked up from a fitness class but had not performed in awhile.  The ENTIRE circuit was new for my body.  The next day, I felt some minor soreness and I actually craved that my body needed an extra hour of sleep.

2- Increase the intensity -  This principle really varies depending on what you’re doing.  If you’re lifting weights, you can intensify it by increasing the weights little by little.  If you’re running on a treadmill, you may want to intensify the workout by adding an incline (which is much more challenging than running on a flat surface) or increasing the speed.

Regardless, it’s essential to focus on the intensity of your workouts.  If you’re floating on an elliptical machine for an hour and not even catching yourself out of breath, the intensity level is obviously not high enough meaning you need to find a way to push yourself harder.

Also keep in mind that the QUALITY of your workout counts more than the QUANTITY.  You can accomplish a lot within a half hour given that it’s a very intense half hour.  Your body is going to greatly benefit from a more intense workout versus a long workout that isn’t physically challenging the body whatsoever.

3-  Mix boosts of cardio with body sculpting moves - When working out, they say you cannot focus on just cardio, nor just strength training.  This is because both benefit the body in completely different ways.

Strength training (or lifting weights, resistance training,  etc.) will actually change the shape of your body over time because you’re essentially sculpting your body by building muscle tone and creating a more defined physique.  You cannot run on a treadmill or hop on an elliptical everyday and expect the body to just magically tighten up.  (That’s where strength training comes in).

However, when it comes to burning calories, you will definitely burn more calories during a session of cardio than you would with the same exact amount of time spent lifting weights (unless perhaps you are power lifting or performing an exceptionally low intensity cardio workout).  Also with cardio, you are building up your endurance and your overall cardiovascular conditioning level.  If you get out of breath from walking up a flight of stairs, this means that you’re at a weak conditioning level and this could be improved over time by consistent cardio workouts.

Now to really BOOST your workout, if you can find a way to mix cardio alternating it with strength training exercises (such as sprinting for a few minutes followed by a set of push-ups or lifting a set of free weights), you’re really taking your workouts to the next level.

[Do you have other great working out tips that you find to be effective?]

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Project Runway All Stars, Episode 4 Runway Review – The “Good Taste Tastes Good” Challenge

Posted in FASHION, PROJECT RUNWAY, PROJECT RUNWAY ALL STARS with tags , on January 26, 2012 by stylebymeli

I thought this week’s challenge was brilliant.  I love the inspiration based challenges that truly test the designers’ taste level (and quite literally this week may I add) and allow the designers to have to think outside the box to illustrate their creativity.  

The Challenge:  Create a look inspired by a gelato flavor in 6 hours (shortest amount of time for a challenge in Project Runway history)!

Guest Judges:  Diane Von Furstenberg (iconic fashion designer) and Miranda Kerr (model) who will wear the winning design.

My Runway Review:  (My brief notes taken while watching each designer’s look come down the runway in the order they walked in)

1-  Mondo [cantaloupe]:  Very modern with a strong fashion statement.  I definitely saw the connection of the cantaloupe flavor reflected in the design of the dress.

2-  Anthony [green tea]:  Design a little weak, liked the soft blend of colors, top was abstract and interesting looking but did not like the bottom (too flowy, would have been better with more structure to compliment the top)

3-  Kenley [passion fruit]:  Too bright, not sure about the print selection, I don’t associate neon hot pink with passion fruit exactly, the silhouette and shape of the dress were nice, but a little too safe

4-  Rami [kiwi]:  Way too outlandish, lacked taste, this is NOT fashion, pretty much..[wtf is this!?!?]

5-  Mila [milk and sour cherries]:  Fabrics are too sheer, dress proportions do not enhance the figure of the model, what’s up with the heavy belt and the random placement?  (it doesn’t match the style of the dress), this has styling issues

6-  Jerrell [fruits of the forest]:  I had to watch this twice as there was so much to examine in his design…overall, a little over-designed, too much going on at once, the print was not memorable, this look was nice (or passable I should say) but not my personal cup of tea

7-  Kara [chocolate with cayenne pepper]:  Not flattering whatsoever, model looks pregnant, the ruffles had nice movement, I liked the layered colors she chose, poor construction

8-  Michael [grapefruit]:  Absolutely GORGEOUS!!!, great fabric selection, beautiful color, smooth, luxurious, love the white necklace he choose with this look

9- April [blueberry]:  Another complete disaster, her designs consistently lack a strong artistic expression, weak design, horrendous construction, poor styling (what was up with those earrings with that dress and hair?!  YIKES!), I love cobalt blue but this specific shade of blue does NOT reflect blueberry gelato in my opinion (I would have chosen a soft, light blue)

10- Austin [vanilla madagascar]:  So elegant, so beautiful, just a pretty look from head to toe, very soft and vanilla

My Final Thoughts:

Michael's winning design this week which was also my personal favorite. I love all his designs! Go Michael!

-  I was THRILLED that Michael won his second challenge in a row.  The moment they showed a quick glimpse of his sketch in the workroom towards the beginning of the episode, I was already drooling (ok, not really) over how magnificent his design was.  I have always expressed how wickedly talented he is and I’m so happy to see that he is really shining on Project Runway All Stars.

-  I was nervous Michael wasn’t going to win over the fact that the blush shade he chose was not “grapefruit” enough according to the judges’ critique but the color of the grapefruit gelato was very much a blush light pink which matched his fabric selection.

-  I really did love Mondo’s design along with the inspiration behind it and knew it was down to his and Michael’s.  I was actually really expecting the judges’ to choose his at the end but Michael’s really exempted a higher level of “taste” and that was ultimately what this challenge was all about.

-  As much as I really don’t like admitting this (because it’s negative), I’m going to be completely honest:  I cannot express enough how happy I was to see April go home this week (FINALLY).  Have I not been right this ENTIRE time regarding her lack of experience and poor taste level?!

-  As Joanna Coles stated to April in the workroom, “How could you have a fashion moment if you stick with what you’re comfortable with?”  I couldn’t agree more, you need to challenge yourself and take risks!

[Your thoughts on this week's episode?] 

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